Learning French, via Skype with local teachers

Learning French and taking the time to attend classes can often be quite difficult for expatriates with busy schedules. For those who have to travel for business purposes and can’t commit to a fixed language-learning timetable, or for those who are simply busy with family activities, it’s tricky to fit in fixed time language lessons. Which is why learning French by Skype can really help.

The Alteralingua school offers lessons that are completely geared to the needs of both adults and children. The head office of Alteralingua is situated in Chavannes-de-Bogis near Nyon. Language classes are held here for those who prefer to learn outside the home (there is free and unlimited parking just three minutes from the school).

The school offers a completely flexible approach to its teaching and its teachers will also travel to the client’s home or office to teach if required. However, it’s the Skype option that has proven to be very popular for those with busy schedules who need to fit in classes around work and family. To make things even easier, if a client has to cancel a class, they just need to give 24 hours notice and they can rearrange a new class directly with their teacher.

From help with official documents to discussing current affairs

It is important to keep the learning relevant, so if a client is learning French and also needs a bit of help with official enquiries and documents (such as a letter from the “contrôle des habitantes”) teachers can help with this. If the client simply wants to practice their French through conversation such as a talk about current affairs, or a film or play they have recently enjoyed, teachers can focus on this too.

Alteralingua can also help with French for children who are in the Swiss education system, as the teachers know what is required of a student in Swiss schooling.

Francoise Pasteau, the director and owner of the school worked in various roles for international organisations and companies before deciding to change her career and to re-train as a language teacher. She worked at ASC International House, and Tutors Plus, which gave her a good background to be aware of what clients really need when learning a language.

The school offers seven languages of instruction: French, English as a foreign language, Spanish, Portugese, German, Russian Mandarin and Italian.